CRICKET: Noott says his Falmouth are ready for St Just challenge

ADRIAN Noott admitted his Falmouth side have a big task on their hands to retain their Vinter Cup title – but knows they are up for the fight.

His side defeated Camborne on Thursday evening during a rain affected semi final in the Twenty20 competition which they won last year.

The rain eventually halted the game played at the neutral venue of Helston for good after 15 overs of the second innings with Falmouth sat on 81-2 batted towards their victory target of 93.

Proceedings were decided on overall run rate with the side from Trescobeas Road winning with their tally of 5.4 runs per over, which bettered Camborne’s 4.6.

They will now face Cornwall Cricket League Premier Division leaders St Just, who beat Truro in the other semi, in the final at Camborne on July 9 and Noott feels if his team can perform like they did on Thursday they will do well.

“I thought we were right on our game in the semi,” he said.

“To restrict them to 92 off 20 in pretty poor weather was a real top effort and it gave us a real platform when we batted.

“St Just are doing great at the minute and have been the best team in the league so far so the final will be tough, but the beauty with Twenty20 cricket is if one player comes off with the bat or ball then it gives you a huge chance of winning.

“I think if we can repeat our performance from Thursday night in the final then we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

An unbeaten knock of 43 from wicketkeeper and number three batsman Kieran Rodda helped propel Falmouth into the final.

Tidy bowling spells in Camborne’s innings from Liam Hoban and Arun Revandkar who both only conceded 13 runs off four overs and George Popperwell who went for just 17 runs off his four overs also helped the champions.

Noott said just making the final again proves last year’s result was not a fluke.

He said: “Last year we showed we were the best Twenty20 side in West Cornwall and this year we already know we are in the top two sides.

“Reaching the final again shows last season was not just a one-off situation.

“Last year we wanted to challenge ourselves and we want to do so again this year and there will be no better challenge than playing St Just in the final.